Absolutely Divine

My little boy Reese is currently 15 months old (hard to believe) and since the day he was born he has had a certain way about him. He has an amazingly happy disposition. I constantly get asked by others (even total strangers) if he is always so happy. In fact a couple weeks ago the manager at the gym stopped me as I was leaving (keep in mind - I've never spoken to him before - don't know his name) and said, "Can I ask you a question? . . . Is your little boy always this happy - does he ever cry?" I responded the way I always do - Yes he is and very rarely. We are very lucky and very much ill prepared when we have another child.

The thing that stands out most about Reese's personality is how, at 15 months, and really since just a couple months of age he is able to make others feel so good. I was reminded of this a few days ago while at a birthday party for a friend. My friends sister was watching Reese play, and suddenly he ran up to her arms open, HUGE smile on his face and gave her a big hug. He's only met her twice maybe, but this is very typical for him (he often runs up and hugs complete strangers - that's a whole other story). After the hug, she looked at me and said, "Boy he is good for the ego - he just makes you feel so special and loved!" and it's true he does. Of course I'm a little biased being his mother and all - but I do have others telling me the same thing over and over, so it MUST be true :)

The best thing about it, is it reminds me of someone else very dear to me. My cousin Deanna, passed away almost 6 years ago. She was older than my brothers and I, and even though we didn't see her very often - we felt very close to her. One of my favorite things about Dee was everytime we saw her she would break into a huge smile, open her arms and shout our names as if seeing us was the best thing that happened to her. It's amazing how good that makes a person feel. Of all the gifts he has and could acquire, I am so happy that he will brighten the lives of others with this particular gift.

As Reese greets people, including myself, I am reminded on a daily basis of my dear cousin Dee. What an amazing thing to see your favorite trait of someone who was so special to you and you've lost, show up in someone else so special. It's absolutely divine!